Why do some organizations exhibit more outwardly oriented, sustainability behaviors than others? A culture theory explanation

Chipulu, Maxwell (2020) Why do some organizations exhibit more outwardly oriented, sustainability behaviors than others? A culture theory explanation. Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, , Santiago, Chile. 28 - 31 Jan 2020.

Abstract

In this theoretical study, I consider the question: Why do some organizations exhibit more outwardly oriented, i.e. beyond self-serving, sustainability behaviors than others? I argue that organisation culture, comprising shared axioms, values, beliefs and practices, is a key differentiator. I build a theoretical model, firstly by explaining how organisation cultures evolve from the stance of Cultural Immersion theory, the Attraction-Selection-Attrition (ASA) model, Normative Isomorphism and Social Network Theory. I then draw from the sustainability literature to define and discuss sustainability axioms, values and actions. I then link organisation culture to sustainability by exploring how therefore organisation culture may generate the sustainability axioms, values and actions. Ultimately, I put forward several propositions regarding how certain cultural values delineated by GLOBE project framework are likely to support certain, outwardly oriented, sustainability behaviors, including those pertinent to the environment, society and economy. I also offer propositions on interactions among organisation culture dimensions that may enhance or inhibit sustainable behaviors. My research may uncover ways organizations can embed deep-rooted sustainability ethos beyond the superficial initiatives motivated by self-serving, business concerns.
 
Keywords: Organisation Culture, Culture Theory, Sustainability values, Outwardly-oriented Organisational Sustainability, GLOBE Culture

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Maxwell Chipulu

Download statistics